A few months ago, before a Bible Study, I sat down and prayed with a friend who was having some personal issues in his life. He and I talked about his situation and things that was going wrong in his life. He went on to tell me about his drug abuse, his failed marriage, the many jobs he’d lost and so many other things that had gone wrong. He talked about how he prayed from time to time but he had never repented or asked God to forgive him of his sins. He also had never asked Jesus to come into his life and help him.
After listening to him I began to tell him that God loves him and that He was there for him. I also told him that God’s love is unconditional. I asked him what kind of car he drove. He told me that he drove a BMW 745 with all of the accoutrements. He told me about all of the gold chains he owned and all of the material things he has had at one time or another. After he finished talking I asked him where he took his BMW to get fixed when it needed service. He looked at me and said, “Man, I drive a 745 Beemer. You know that I only let the BMW tech’s touch my car…and no one else!” Plus, he went on to talk about how he purchased the extended warranty. I looked in his eyes and I told him, “Just like he took his car and other items back to the manufacturer to be fixed, our Manufacturer and Creator wants us to do the same. Our Manufacturer wants us to come back to him when we are broken so that he can fix us up, dust us off, and restore us to like new condition. God made us and knows all about us. He knows us even down to the number of hairs on our head.
When you are feeling troubled and down don’t give up. When you are feeling stressed or worried, don’t give up. When you just can’t seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel, don’t give up. When your spirit is broken, your heart is broken, your body broken…don’t give up…go to your Manufacturer and let him fix it all for you. Call out to your Heavenly Father and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And always remember, God’s warranty is unlimited .
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Instructions Included
So many times we buy things and fail to read the instructions. We start putting the items together because it looks simple and we think we can handle it. We think we know how to put the pieces together simply by looking at the pictures on the box. When it is all said and done, however, it doesn’t look or function the way the manufacturer intended. After we make our mess, or have the extra nuts and bolts still sitting on the floor, we go back and read the instructions trying to figure out just where we went wrong…what step we left out.
God see’s us the same way. We do things in our daily lives thinking we got it all figured out. We think we know it all and we mess it up every time. Then we go to the Lord asking him to fix what we or our loved ones have messed up. In reality, if we ask him in the first place, some of us would not be in the situations we are in now.
The Word says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31). I leave you with these words,God left you the BIBLE…Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!
I implore you, read the instructions that God has left for you to live a happy and prosperous life. Start with his two primary instructions:
1. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
2. Accept his Plan of Salvation.
Believe me, I was a proud man always believing that I could put everything together by looking at the picture. It took me a long while to realize that by doing it “my way” I was wasting time, causing myself and others undo stress, and complicating something that should have been relatively easy…if only I had followed the instructions. God’s instructions are readily available, in the Bible…pick it up today.
God see’s us the same way. We do things in our daily lives thinking we got it all figured out. We think we know it all and we mess it up every time. Then we go to the Lord asking him to fix what we or our loved ones have messed up. In reality, if we ask him in the first place, some of us would not be in the situations we are in now.
The Word says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31). I leave you with these words,God left you the BIBLE…Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!
I implore you, read the instructions that God has left for you to live a happy and prosperous life. Start with his two primary instructions:
1. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
2. Accept his Plan of Salvation.
Believe me, I was a proud man always believing that I could put everything together by looking at the picture. It took me a long while to realize that by doing it “my way” I was wasting time, causing myself and others undo stress, and complicating something that should have been relatively easy…if only I had followed the instructions. God’s instructions are readily available, in the Bible…pick it up today.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Living Faith
It was December and Christmas was right around the corner. My wife was nine months pregnant and she was having medical issues. She had already carried this baby 42 weeks instead of the normal 38 weeks like she had carried the other children. She also had high blood pressure. The doctor decided to induce the labor because my wife’s medical condition was not getting any better. The doctor wanted to deliver the baby as soon as possible before the pregnancy started to threaten my wife’s life. We got her admitted to the hospital and the doctor started the process of inducing the labor. They kept close watch on my wife, monitoring her and the baby. As time elapsed her blood pressure got out of control. Having watched her deliver my other children I knew her blood pressure was at stroke level. My pastor came immediately to the hospital and we prayed over my wife. Something still didn’t seem right. I guess you can say I felt the proverbial “tremble in the force.” The Holy Spirit was telling me that something wasn’t right. After praying with my pastor, however, I thought things were going to be all right. After all, I knew that he knew how to pray, he knew how to get a prayer through, and most of all he was a man of God. Little did I know it was not him his faith that was about to be tested, it was mine. My pastor had a previous engagement that he had to attend but before he left my wife and me he said these words, “Trust the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding, and he shall direct your path.” He also said all things works out for the good of the Lord.
My wife took a nap. After an hour or so the labor pains got worst and my wife asked for the anesthesiologist. By the time they got her epidural administered the baby was ready to come out and her blood pressure started to drop. The nurse alerted the doctor that my wife’s blood pressure was dropping rapidly. The nurse got the crash cart ready because things were not looking good. My wife kept telling me that she was feeling funny and something was wrong. Her body began to shut down. She looked in my eyes and said three times, and I quote, “Terrance, don’t let me die.” I grabbed her hand and I told her that I was there and that God had her and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her but the situation got worst. The baby was almost out and her pressure dropped even lower. The doctors put some kind of medicine in her IV but it was not working. They delivered the baby boy (Malachi) and my wife flat-lined. Well, the only thing I knew to do was call on the name of Jesus. The doctors hit her with the fibulator and nothing happened. At that moment I saw a black shadow move in the room closer to where I was. I called out to the Lord and pled the blood of Jesus over my wife. I rebuked death in the Name of Jesus. I cried and told the Lord that he promised that if I asked anything in his name he would do it! Well over two minutes had passed and the doctors couldn’t bring her back. As the tears rolled down my face and I continued to whisper prayers slowly out of my mouth the Lord showed up! A doctor came in the room with a long needle about 6 – 12 inches long and gave her a shot in her heart and she finally responded. I began praising God for saving her! My wife woke up and told me that she saw the dark shadow in the room but wasn’t sure what she was seeing. She asked to see her baby and was he all right. We cried together and thanked God for saving her and blessing us once again with another healthy child.
Malachi was 8 pounds 15 ounces and we were so happy. I realized after this ordeal that I had to exercise my faith even more and get even closer to God. I was in ministerial training during this time and boy was my faith being tested. If I had lost my wife at that time I don’t know what I would have done. The thought, even today, makes me shutter. But as we all know, like the story of Job, trials can come one right behind the other and that’s what happened to me. After my wife was safe and in stable condition I got my other three children and brought them back to see their mother and their new little brother. That night I took them home so my wife could get some much needed rest. Two days passed and the doctors said that my wife and our baby were able to go home. I just knew that everything was going to be fine and continued to thank God for our new addition to the family. We were now ready for Christmas as it was only seven days away. The second day home Malachi was sleep and wouldn’t wake up. We tried everything to wake him up but he wouldn’t respond. He was still breathing but he was lethargic. We called 9-1-1. They came and said that he was in and out of a coma and they rushed him to the Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. All I kept thinking was “Why Lord, why now? You saved my wife and now the devil is trying to take my son.” I wasn’t going to give up without a fight! Now remind you, I’m still in ministerial training. All I could think about is that I gave my life to Christ and accepted the calling to the ministry and now this. The devil was busy. Well, I called my pastor and he did what he always did, he rushed to our side and prayed with us. The doctor did every test available and they couldn’t find out what was causing little Malachi to have seizures and go in and out of these comatose states.
We stayed at the hospital for three days and they couldn’t tell us anything. Little Malachi laid in a glass bassinet with a multitude of wires connected to his little head. He was being monitored 24-7 on camera. I have no doubt in my mind that the Children’s Hospital in Atlanta is one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world, but it was clear this case was beyond their purview. I got fed up with the doctors telling me the same old story so I went home, got my Bible and my oil. I told the devil that he was a liar and that he couldn’t have my son! I went to my son’s room and put everyone out, including my wife and other children and I prayed, and I prayed, and I called out the name of the Lord. I told the Lord that he gave me his promise and that under the power and the authority of Jesus Christ I took my son back. I commanded Malachi to wake up IN THE NAME OF JESUS. I cried out that no weapon formed against him shall prosper. Malachi woke up, we pulled those wires off his head, and Malachi has been fine ever since. In seven days Malachi will turn five and he is in perfect health. The doctors were never able to figure out a medical cause for Malachi’s ordeal. I know it was by God’s grace that Malachi is healed. God is good but had I waived in my faith I could have lost both my wife, and my son.
You see, we all get tested from time to time. And sometimes it seems the closer you get to God, the more the adversary attacks you. If you are like me you may have found yourself asking, “God why are your soldiers constantly persecuted and attacked by Satan”? The truth is God knows how much we all can handle. Sometimes we do not know how strong we are until being strong is the only option we have. God may watch Satan attack you but if you keep the faith he will NEVER LET HIM HAVE YOU! Continue to confess with your mouth, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, acknowledge that he died for your sins, and you will end up the WINNER every time!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Terrance Paulin, Always a Ready Writer
My wife took a nap. After an hour or so the labor pains got worst and my wife asked for the anesthesiologist. By the time they got her epidural administered the baby was ready to come out and her blood pressure started to drop. The nurse alerted the doctor that my wife’s blood pressure was dropping rapidly. The nurse got the crash cart ready because things were not looking good. My wife kept telling me that she was feeling funny and something was wrong. Her body began to shut down. She looked in my eyes and said three times, and I quote, “Terrance, don’t let me die.” I grabbed her hand and I told her that I was there and that God had her and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her but the situation got worst. The baby was almost out and her pressure dropped even lower. The doctors put some kind of medicine in her IV but it was not working. They delivered the baby boy (Malachi) and my wife flat-lined. Well, the only thing I knew to do was call on the name of Jesus. The doctors hit her with the fibulator and nothing happened. At that moment I saw a black shadow move in the room closer to where I was. I called out to the Lord and pled the blood of Jesus over my wife. I rebuked death in the Name of Jesus. I cried and told the Lord that he promised that if I asked anything in his name he would do it! Well over two minutes had passed and the doctors couldn’t bring her back. As the tears rolled down my face and I continued to whisper prayers slowly out of my mouth the Lord showed up! A doctor came in the room with a long needle about 6 – 12 inches long and gave her a shot in her heart and she finally responded. I began praising God for saving her! My wife woke up and told me that she saw the dark shadow in the room but wasn’t sure what she was seeing. She asked to see her baby and was he all right. We cried together and thanked God for saving her and blessing us once again with another healthy child.
Malachi was 8 pounds 15 ounces and we were so happy. I realized after this ordeal that I had to exercise my faith even more and get even closer to God. I was in ministerial training during this time and boy was my faith being tested. If I had lost my wife at that time I don’t know what I would have done. The thought, even today, makes me shutter. But as we all know, like the story of Job, trials can come one right behind the other and that’s what happened to me. After my wife was safe and in stable condition I got my other three children and brought them back to see their mother and their new little brother. That night I took them home so my wife could get some much needed rest. Two days passed and the doctors said that my wife and our baby were able to go home. I just knew that everything was going to be fine and continued to thank God for our new addition to the family. We were now ready for Christmas as it was only seven days away. The second day home Malachi was sleep and wouldn’t wake up. We tried everything to wake him up but he wouldn’t respond. He was still breathing but he was lethargic. We called 9-1-1. They came and said that he was in and out of a coma and they rushed him to the Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. All I kept thinking was “Why Lord, why now? You saved my wife and now the devil is trying to take my son.” I wasn’t going to give up without a fight! Now remind you, I’m still in ministerial training. All I could think about is that I gave my life to Christ and accepted the calling to the ministry and now this. The devil was busy. Well, I called my pastor and he did what he always did, he rushed to our side and prayed with us. The doctor did every test available and they couldn’t find out what was causing little Malachi to have seizures and go in and out of these comatose states.
We stayed at the hospital for three days and they couldn’t tell us anything. Little Malachi laid in a glass bassinet with a multitude of wires connected to his little head. He was being monitored 24-7 on camera. I have no doubt in my mind that the Children’s Hospital in Atlanta is one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world, but it was clear this case was beyond their purview. I got fed up with the doctors telling me the same old story so I went home, got my Bible and my oil. I told the devil that he was a liar and that he couldn’t have my son! I went to my son’s room and put everyone out, including my wife and other children and I prayed, and I prayed, and I called out the name of the Lord. I told the Lord that he gave me his promise and that under the power and the authority of Jesus Christ I took my son back. I commanded Malachi to wake up IN THE NAME OF JESUS. I cried out that no weapon formed against him shall prosper. Malachi woke up, we pulled those wires off his head, and Malachi has been fine ever since. In seven days Malachi will turn five and he is in perfect health. The doctors were never able to figure out a medical cause for Malachi’s ordeal. I know it was by God’s grace that Malachi is healed. God is good but had I waived in my faith I could have lost both my wife, and my son.
You see, we all get tested from time to time. And sometimes it seems the closer you get to God, the more the adversary attacks you. If you are like me you may have found yourself asking, “God why are your soldiers constantly persecuted and attacked by Satan”? The truth is God knows how much we all can handle. Sometimes we do not know how strong we are until being strong is the only option we have. God may watch Satan attack you but if you keep the faith he will NEVER LET HIM HAVE YOU! Continue to confess with your mouth, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, acknowledge that he died for your sins, and you will end up the WINNER every time!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Terrance Paulin, Always a Ready Writer
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
How long can you run from God?
You didn’t choose me, I chose you
I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last,
So that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name
John 15:16
After nine years of running from GOD I now understand what John 15:16 means. God’s purpose for my life, however, wasn’t always clear to me. You see God had spoken to me at a time in my life when I thought I was the stuff. You know, I thought I had it going on. No one or nothing mattered to me but me and it was my way or no way at all. Over the years I continued to ignore the voice in my head and the desires in my heart but they just wouldn’t go away. Because of the life style I was living, however, I said to myself that there is no way I’m going to become a preacher. I could give a multitude of reasons why I felt I wasn’t good enough for God. I remember saying to myself that with all of the hell I’ve raised and all of the trouble I’ve caused, God didn’t want me, but he did. So, I tried going to church, being baptized and all the necessary things that I thought was necessary to become a Christian but the main ingredient was missing…“Commitment”. You know that word that most men fear and even some women run from? I didn’t want to give up those things that I thought was good for me. I didn’t want to give up those things that I thought made me happy. Boy was I wrong. As I continued to do my thing, I began to travel down some roads that were not good for me and I got in situations that I could not get out of on my own. No amount of money could do it either. So, I had enough sense to call on the name of Jesus to get me out. And Jesus was forever faithful but I still didn’t want to “Commit” to the Lord.
As time went on a series of things happened to let me know that it was God who brought me through. The glass shattered all around me and a bullet dropped down beside me, leaving me and my family untouched. I thought this incident happened because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I now Know that I was at the appointed place at the appointed time because God had to show me that it was not who I was in the community, what lodge I belong to, nor how many cars I had, nor was it how much money I had in the bank, but it was he, God almighty, that protected me. It was at that time I realized that God has a purpose for me. The trials and temptations all came upon me to transform me and make me stronger. Now that I’m here on the other side, in the army of the Lord, I’m happy to say, “Lord I yield, I accept my assignment”. I now ask the question, “how do I bring glory to God”? As Jesus told the Father, “ I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do”. Jesus honored God by fulfilling his purpose on earth. We honor God the same way. When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God. I will glorify God by worshiping him because worship is our first responsibility to God. I worship God by enjoying him. God wants our worship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty. God’s inherent glory is what he possesses because he is God. It is his nature. We cannot add anything to this glory, just as it would be impossible for us to make the sun brighter. But we are commanded to recognize his glory, honor his glory, declare his glory, praise his glory, reflect his glory and live for his glory. Why? Because he deserves it and we owe him every honor we can possibly give. Since he made all things, he deserves all the glory. The bible says, “You are worthy, O lord our God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything”. In the entire universe, only two of God’s creations fail to bring glory to him: fallen angels (demons) and us (people).
Living the rest of my life for the glory of God will require a change in my priorities, my schedule, my relationships, and everything else. It will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one. Even Jesus struggled with this. Knowing that he was about to be crucified he cried out, “My soul has become troubled, and what shall I say Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Thy name”.
Jesus stood at a fork in the road. Would he fulfill his purpose and bring glory to God, or would he set back and live a comfortable, self-centered life? I face the same choice. Will I live for my own goals, comfort and pleasures, or will I live the rest of my life for God’s glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards. I chose to live for God. He’s called me to teach and help others to recognize the power that’s within all of us. Doing the impossible, using his word.
Sincerely,
Terrance Ezekiel Paulin Sr.
I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last,
So that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name
John 15:16
After nine years of running from GOD I now understand what John 15:16 means. God’s purpose for my life, however, wasn’t always clear to me. You see God had spoken to me at a time in my life when I thought I was the stuff. You know, I thought I had it going on. No one or nothing mattered to me but me and it was my way or no way at all. Over the years I continued to ignore the voice in my head and the desires in my heart but they just wouldn’t go away. Because of the life style I was living, however, I said to myself that there is no way I’m going to become a preacher. I could give a multitude of reasons why I felt I wasn’t good enough for God. I remember saying to myself that with all of the hell I’ve raised and all of the trouble I’ve caused, God didn’t want me, but he did. So, I tried going to church, being baptized and all the necessary things that I thought was necessary to become a Christian but the main ingredient was missing…“Commitment”. You know that word that most men fear and even some women run from? I didn’t want to give up those things that I thought was good for me. I didn’t want to give up those things that I thought made me happy. Boy was I wrong. As I continued to do my thing, I began to travel down some roads that were not good for me and I got in situations that I could not get out of on my own. No amount of money could do it either. So, I had enough sense to call on the name of Jesus to get me out. And Jesus was forever faithful but I still didn’t want to “Commit” to the Lord.
As time went on a series of things happened to let me know that it was God who brought me through. The glass shattered all around me and a bullet dropped down beside me, leaving me and my family untouched. I thought this incident happened because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I now Know that I was at the appointed place at the appointed time because God had to show me that it was not who I was in the community, what lodge I belong to, nor how many cars I had, nor was it how much money I had in the bank, but it was he, God almighty, that protected me. It was at that time I realized that God has a purpose for me. The trials and temptations all came upon me to transform me and make me stronger. Now that I’m here on the other side, in the army of the Lord, I’m happy to say, “Lord I yield, I accept my assignment”. I now ask the question, “how do I bring glory to God”? As Jesus told the Father, “ I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do”. Jesus honored God by fulfilling his purpose on earth. We honor God the same way. When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God. I will glorify God by worshiping him because worship is our first responsibility to God. I worship God by enjoying him. God wants our worship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty. God’s inherent glory is what he possesses because he is God. It is his nature. We cannot add anything to this glory, just as it would be impossible for us to make the sun brighter. But we are commanded to recognize his glory, honor his glory, declare his glory, praise his glory, reflect his glory and live for his glory. Why? Because he deserves it and we owe him every honor we can possibly give. Since he made all things, he deserves all the glory. The bible says, “You are worthy, O lord our God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything”. In the entire universe, only two of God’s creations fail to bring glory to him: fallen angels (demons) and us (people).
Living the rest of my life for the glory of God will require a change in my priorities, my schedule, my relationships, and everything else. It will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one. Even Jesus struggled with this. Knowing that he was about to be crucified he cried out, “My soul has become troubled, and what shall I say Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Thy name”.
Jesus stood at a fork in the road. Would he fulfill his purpose and bring glory to God, or would he set back and live a comfortable, self-centered life? I face the same choice. Will I live for my own goals, comfort and pleasures, or will I live the rest of my life for God’s glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards. I chose to live for God. He’s called me to teach and help others to recognize the power that’s within all of us. Doing the impossible, using his word.
Sincerely,
Terrance Ezekiel Paulin Sr.
Monday, July 6, 2009
SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN
As I wrote the topic to this article several different things entered my mind and I paused for a moment. Something strange came over me and I wondered how would my life be if I didn’t have something to believe in. You see I face challenges everyday, some I win and some I have to come back to another day or at least I thought. Then I realized that some of my challenges are not for me to deal with alone. Because I have something that I believe in that can fix anything for me. You see my something that I believe in is strong, kind, loving and lives in me. I have a personal relationship with that something. That something that I have gets me through those long dark and lonely knights, that something pays my bills on time, that something is my doctor, that something is my lawyer, that something is my everything and that something is better to me than I am to myself. I’m happy to know and have that something in my life because without that something, I’m nothing.
As I sit here writing this article I’ve flashed back to a childhood game we use to play. That game was “it’ or some of us called it tag. Anyway, once the game started, the object was to tag someone and tell them they’re it and you would run away from that person. Now that we’ve grown up and we matured, games like that don’t matter anymore. Well I’m here to share with you that I’ve got “IT” and I don’t want to let “IT” go.
Good and bad time come to everyone. Some of us have more of one, than the other. However when different situations arise in our live who or where do we find refuge and comfort?
I realized that we all need something to believe in. weather it’s a church, a religion, a family member, friends, social organizations public or private and money. Life is full of changes with some expected and some unexpected.
Living today is hard in this world and you have to wonder how do some people make it from day to day. How do you know that what you believe in is real or not just an old myth that some family member or friend shared with you and you just took it and ran. Or is your something genuine? I ask you the question. What is your something you believe in? Share it with a friend, a family member or a stranger. You never know who may need your something to get them through SOMETHING.
Peace and Blessings
By Terrance E. Paulin
As I sit here writing this article I’ve flashed back to a childhood game we use to play. That game was “it’ or some of us called it tag. Anyway, once the game started, the object was to tag someone and tell them they’re it and you would run away from that person. Now that we’ve grown up and we matured, games like that don’t matter anymore. Well I’m here to share with you that I’ve got “IT” and I don’t want to let “IT” go.
Good and bad time come to everyone. Some of us have more of one, than the other. However when different situations arise in our live who or where do we find refuge and comfort?
I realized that we all need something to believe in. weather it’s a church, a religion, a family member, friends, social organizations public or private and money. Life is full of changes with some expected and some unexpected.
Living today is hard in this world and you have to wonder how do some people make it from day to day. How do you know that what you believe in is real or not just an old myth that some family member or friend shared with you and you just took it and ran. Or is your something genuine? I ask you the question. What is your something you believe in? Share it with a friend, a family member or a stranger. You never know who may need your something to get them through SOMETHING.
Peace and Blessings
By Terrance E. Paulin
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Off Duty, On Call
On a rainy November day my family and I were on one of our family outings. My wife and I drove separate cars and I met her and the children at our favorite family location, Chuck E. Cheese. After spending several hours there with the children we got our things together to go home. It had been raining all day and the children had needed that play time. As we prepared to leave our oldest daughter said she wanted to ride home with me. While my wife took the other children home she called me on the cell phone and asked us to pick up dinner. As we rode down the rainy highway I had no idea that I would be getting a call that would change me in so many ways.
My daughter and I went to a fast food restaurant near where we lived and as we sat in the drive through line I got the call. It was a business associate from Washington, DC, but at the time he was in New York. He asked me did I have a minute because he had an emergency that required my help. I got out of the fast food line and listened intently to hear the details of his emergency. He and his wife were in a hospital in New York City along with her father in ICU. He asked me if I knew of any clergymen in New York who could come to the hospital and pray for his father-in-law who he believed was on his deathbed. He explained that the clergymen at the hospital were either too busy or were just ignoring their request and they didn't know how long his father-in-law had to live. Also, they didn't know if he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. So, I told him to stay by the phone and I would make some calls to see what I could do. I made several calls to family and friends in New York to no avail. No one I called was available. As I continued making calls my daughter asked me what was the problem so I explained to her what was going on. She told me to "call our pastor and ask him what to do or, just ask Jesus because he was in the back seat of our truck sleeping." I looked at her and smiled and told her that we would try to call our pastor first. We got him on the phone and he said he would make some calls to see if he could get someone to help us with this situation.
I called back to the hospital to see how my associate's father-in-law was coming along and asked was he responsive to them. They informed me that he was in a deep sleep but would make movements with his hands every now and then. Time was running out and I had no one to call or to go see him in the hospital. My little five-year old daughter and I began praying for an answer to give to this family. In three or so minutes the spirit came over me and I was bound to help this family at that instance. I told them to take the phone into his room, put it on speaker-phone and see if he could hear me. They did as I asked and the father-in-law responded to his daughter by squeezing her hand. At that time I let go and let God and the Holy Spirit move. I asked him did he believe in God, will he accept God in his heart, did he believe that Jesus Christ rose on the 3rd day and died for our sins? He confirmed all these things by squeezing his daughter's hand. At that point my job was done and the Lord had another one of his children back in his hands.
I got off the phone and talked to my daughter about what had just happened. We then called my wife to tell her the good news. You see, when I got up that morning I had no idea that I was going to be praying for someone on his deathbed. I'm used to praying with my family at home or at church. God has shown me that I need to be ready at all times. If we love Him and have accepted his grace we're always on call. I used to think that we had certain times to be on duty for the Lord and that we would have prior notice but that's not the case. Working and serving the Lord is a twenty-four hour job everyday. I must be ready to do his will whenever the situation calls for divine intervention.
I often sit and wonder what my purpose is here on earth. Am I doing what I was sent here to do? So many questions, so few answers. As I continue to live each day, I pray that I may be of some help to someone and my work is not in vein. Life is short and I try to live each day to the fullest.
I want to share this last thought with you because I may never get the opportunity again. Take time to know God. He's there for you. Maybe one day when it's your turn to meet him no one will have to pray for you. Your work will have already been done. I could talk about this until the end of time, however, the question remains, are you on duty or on call?
Terrance Paulin
Always a Ready Writer
My daughter and I went to a fast food restaurant near where we lived and as we sat in the drive through line I got the call. It was a business associate from Washington, DC, but at the time he was in New York. He asked me did I have a minute because he had an emergency that required my help. I got out of the fast food line and listened intently to hear the details of his emergency. He and his wife were in a hospital in New York City along with her father in ICU. He asked me if I knew of any clergymen in New York who could come to the hospital and pray for his father-in-law who he believed was on his deathbed. He explained that the clergymen at the hospital were either too busy or were just ignoring their request and they didn't know how long his father-in-law had to live. Also, they didn't know if he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. So, I told him to stay by the phone and I would make some calls to see what I could do. I made several calls to family and friends in New York to no avail. No one I called was available. As I continued making calls my daughter asked me what was the problem so I explained to her what was going on. She told me to "call our pastor and ask him what to do or, just ask Jesus because he was in the back seat of our truck sleeping." I looked at her and smiled and told her that we would try to call our pastor first. We got him on the phone and he said he would make some calls to see if he could get someone to help us with this situation.
I called back to the hospital to see how my associate's father-in-law was coming along and asked was he responsive to them. They informed me that he was in a deep sleep but would make movements with his hands every now and then. Time was running out and I had no one to call or to go see him in the hospital. My little five-year old daughter and I began praying for an answer to give to this family. In three or so minutes the spirit came over me and I was bound to help this family at that instance. I told them to take the phone into his room, put it on speaker-phone and see if he could hear me. They did as I asked and the father-in-law responded to his daughter by squeezing her hand. At that time I let go and let God and the Holy Spirit move. I asked him did he believe in God, will he accept God in his heart, did he believe that Jesus Christ rose on the 3rd day and died for our sins? He confirmed all these things by squeezing his daughter's hand. At that point my job was done and the Lord had another one of his children back in his hands.
I got off the phone and talked to my daughter about what had just happened. We then called my wife to tell her the good news. You see, when I got up that morning I had no idea that I was going to be praying for someone on his deathbed. I'm used to praying with my family at home or at church. God has shown me that I need to be ready at all times. If we love Him and have accepted his grace we're always on call. I used to think that we had certain times to be on duty for the Lord and that we would have prior notice but that's not the case. Working and serving the Lord is a twenty-four hour job everyday. I must be ready to do his will whenever the situation calls for divine intervention.
I often sit and wonder what my purpose is here on earth. Am I doing what I was sent here to do? So many questions, so few answers. As I continue to live each day, I pray that I may be of some help to someone and my work is not in vein. Life is short and I try to live each day to the fullest.
I want to share this last thought with you because I may never get the opportunity again. Take time to know God. He's there for you. Maybe one day when it's your turn to meet him no one will have to pray for you. Your work will have already been done. I could talk about this until the end of time, however, the question remains, are you on duty or on call?
Terrance Paulin
Always a Ready Writer
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Welcome
Hello to everyone,
Today is a day that the Lord had made, I shall rejoice and be glad in it. I just wanted to take a minute to say hello and welcome you to my blog. The word for today is," We can do all things through Christ Jesus". God wants good things for all of us and has given us his word to live by that will empower us to change any situation we're dealing with. His word is power and he's given us the word to use in our lives as well as others. So, I encourage you to study his word and learn how to engage the power we've been given to change your lives for the better. May he keep you in perfect peace. Until next time I am Always a Ready Writer for the Lord. Amen
Terrance Paulin
Today is a day that the Lord had made, I shall rejoice and be glad in it. I just wanted to take a minute to say hello and welcome you to my blog. The word for today is," We can do all things through Christ Jesus". God wants good things for all of us and has given us his word to live by that will empower us to change any situation we're dealing with. His word is power and he's given us the word to use in our lives as well as others. So, I encourage you to study his word and learn how to engage the power we've been given to change your lives for the better. May he keep you in perfect peace. Until next time I am Always a Ready Writer for the Lord. Amen
Terrance Paulin
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